May 31, 2017

I was so excited to try out this product from Hairstory Studio. It's a new take on how to wash your hair. One product, detergent-free, non-toxic, (do I dare say) VEGAN, what could be better?! One bottle that does all, I ditched shampoo and conditioner for 30 days. I was skeptical at first and it took a couple days for my hair to adjust and for me to use the right amount. I lathered my hair with dollops of this, probably the size of a little cherry tomato. My hair turned from a thick mix of bristle-y, dry strands to a smooth, hydrated, healthy head of hair. My hair pretty much does whatever it wants. I've got some natural waves but with the amount of hair I have it gets a little weighed down.

I know I'm not alone when I say that I'm a little lazy when it comes to wanting to get in the shower. I just feel like it can be such a waste of my time. By using New Wash, I've been able to take quick showers and sometimes (do I dare spill my secret) not wash my hair for a couple days. It stays smooth and I've been more creative with putting it up. Running from the gym to class and adventures with friends, I've been able to worry less about how my hair looks, feels, and smells. My scalp feels light and my hair stays fresh for days. There's no scent to this stuff so you get to just BE YOU, naturally.

May 28, 2017

LOOK AT MAPSand be a tourist... because you are one and so many others are too. It's not a bad thing to call yourself that. Better yet, if you have a bias towards the label, call yourself a traveler. Maps are posted around the city for a reason, even while at home in Seattle, I have to remind myself to stop staring at my screen and look around and get to know the city from the look and feel of it, not what my phone tells me! Strengthen that internal compass, try to understand the coordinate points... (hint: follow the sun East → West!)

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION! Big cities that you may travel to are designed for easy travel by use of metros and busses. Buy a day pass and get yourself "lost!" You may find yourself exactly where you're meant to be. ;)

WRITE IT DOWNin a journal. I like to focus on gratitude and appreciation. I write down what I'm grateful for, senses and feelings, is it sunny out, do the shapes of the clouds represent something? Feel all those feelings, some of them might not be great but holding them in sure doesn't help. Let them out, let them go, focus on what you have in this very beautiful, present moment. Focus on the good, and more of it will come your way.

LOOK AROUND YOUinstead of at your screen. Notice the beauty that is out there for YOU to look at, rather than the bests of what others post from their lives. There is beauty all around you in everything we see. Yes, this is real life! You might just find something that inspires you.

EAT AT A FOOD TRUCK or wherever you find yourself when you're hungry. Don't go searching for that "insta-worthy" place that everyone must hit in the city you're traveling to. Some of the best meals are often the ones you happen upon when they are in the right place in the right moment.

CARRY A PACK(from Parkland) with all the essentials. Overpack. Play the "what if?" game. You'll be the one who's prepared. Sunglasses, snacks, water, tissues, hand sanitizer, a good book, your journal, pens, highlighters, sunscreen, a picnic blanket, extra camera lenses... then you'll have room for souvenirs or other little things that cross your path and inspire you too.

BRING A CAMERA,yes, a "real" camera! The ones that you take the card out to download on your computer to process and edit and store in your photos library. Instead of getting the "gram" or "snap" for your story with the totally rad filter of your location that your friends will be totally jealous of, have the photos of your trip on an SD card. Upload and process them on your computer when you get home. Make a cup of tea and flip through your memories that will last forever.

So I really didn't have a phone which inspired me to write this post because I learned how do-able it is to travel without one! Right before I left for Washington DC, literally the night before, it got overloaded and totally crashed on me. Obviously enough, I had too many photos and my phone had less than 2GB free... maybe less that 50MB... ;) It has been the third thing on my to-do list this month: to make space on my phone, delete images and back them up. It caught up with me and taught me a lesson.

Overall, I had so much fun experiencing DC without distractions from friends in other places. This was a weekend to celebrate family anyways so it made more sense to be present with those who I love and don't get to spend much time with. This was a little wake up call that we are all stupidly dependent on those little devices. I might just turn my phone off more often.

May 22, 2017

The sweet connection these two have is apparent in these images and they truly are the most genuine souls who treat everyone and everything who cross their paths with so much respect and gratitude! They have open minds, are grounded people, care about the natural world, and really listen to learn from others. It's easy and fun to be around them.

Vicente apparently makes a mean PB & J. Toasted bread and just the right amount of each fixin. We had to do a couple obligatory "what makes them, them," pics so naturally, he brought a sandwich.

May 17, 2017

I've known this amazing woman my whole life, have spent countless hours doing crafts with her and her daughters; she's almost in a way a second mother to me. I was so excited to hear that she wanted me to make some headshots of her for her small jewelry business! I believe we captured her natural beauty and warm spirit. It's so inspiring to see her re-connect with the creative energy that she emanates.

The first image was shot at Tulip Town and those three rings were gifted to me from Nika when I embarked on my National Geographic Expedition 2 years ago. I've worn them every day since and they represent the continuous importance to follow my dreams.

Nika has always had an immaculate garden surrounding her house and wherever she goes she sprinkles her magical well-being dust on every being of this earth. I am very grateful to be so close with her and continue to listen and learn how to tread lightly and share compassion.

May 13, 2017

Nikki is such a bubbly, happy person to be around and always has something sweet to say whether it be about a person, a place, or a thing. You can tell she is living some of her many dreams right now and it's contagious. In addition to her blog, nikkimdavis.com, she has an online shop launching in June. The floral dress in this set of images will be available on her site! As many of you know I'm a sucker for a long, flowy dress soooo let's just say I definitely have my eye on one! ;)

As I photograph these fashion bloggers here in Seattle I'm really trying to get myself to think about the fashion in addition to the face. I always find myself drawn to the shape of faces and eyes, the most prominent area of us that makes us unique and what others look at first. To get out of my own head I've been just cutting out the face entirely of the frame and focus on the movement of the clothing. I'm probably overthinking this, but this is just where I'm at!